Sargassum seaweed being cleaned up recently in Sint Maarten. Photo: Ministry of VROMI

This is according to the Sargassum Sub-Regional Outlook Bulletin from February 1 to May 1, 2024, published by the Sargassum Team at The Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) at the Cave Hill Campus of The University of the West Indies, Barbados. 

According to its synopsis, Sargassum is currently distributed across the Central Atlantic, but is 40 per cent less than for the same period last year. It notes there has also been a reduction in dense surface accumulations since last month and that detection of sargassum in the equatorial region off South America may be affected by cloud cover. 

In terms of the general outlook, influxes into the Eastern Caribbean are expected to be mild to moderate over the next three months. 

For the Northern islands, influxes are expected to be considerably lower than for this period last year. Low but steady accumulations are expected during March and April. 

For the Middle islands, influxes are expected to be mild and lower than for the same period last year. Some peaking is expected from late March into April.

And for the Southern islands, influxes are expected to be generally higher than for the same period last year, but will remain low. Influxes will lessen towards the end of February and return from mid-March.